“That’s a very good question,” Catcher said. “Which is why we tend to think this is about humans. We understand one of your former employees, Robin Pope, filed a grievance against the company. What can you tell us about that?”
Charla’s expression shuttered, and the pleasant smile evaporated.
“Robin Pope, if you’ll excuse my frankness, is an ignorant bully. If she didn’t get her way on the smallest issue, she complained up the chain of command until someone finally caved. She cannot conceive of the possibility she’s wrong, much less tolerate constructive criticism. She bullied her colleagues—even away from the office—and invented conspiracies to justify her behavior.”
“You fired her?” Catcher prompted.
“We did. Her little grievance is the result of it. She claims she was fired because we love vampires and, thereby, hate humans, including her. That everyone else we employ is human didn’t seem to cross her mind.”
“That must have been irritating,” I said.
“It was infuriating,” Charla agreed. “Do you think she’s involved?”
“I think it’s an awfully big coincidence if she isn’t,” Catcher said.
“Do you think she’s capable of it?” I asked Charla.
“I don’t want to give her too much credit,” she said, “but she didn’t seem the violent type.”
“You did say she bullied your employees,” I said.
“Well, yes, but that was small scale. She left a nasty note on someone’s car. Made a few unsettling phone calls. They were more about having uncovered the truth—and making sure that someone believed her—than violence. Firebombing the building because she was angry? I don’t know about that.” I wouldn’t have figured Robin Pope for attempting to prick me with an aspen stake and then running like a fugitive, but I didn’t mention that to Charla.
She scratched absently at a spot on her shoulder. “But maybe you’re right. Maybe we were all fooled.”
“What about any other threats against the business?” Catcher asked. “Harassing e-mails? Phone calls? Anything that would suggest you’d been targeted specifically?”
“Nothing at all. No communications, phone calls, anything. Not a single e-mail.”
“What about union disputes?” I asked.
“We aren’t union ized,” Charla said, “and the union hasn’t shown much interest because of our ties to the supernatural. They aren’t really sure what to do with us.”
“Supply chain issues?” Catcher asked. “Arguments with suppliers or vendors?”
“Our contracts are negotiated annually, and we’re right in the middle of the term, so it will be six months before anyone starts complaining. Here’s the thing—production is still running. So whoever hit us, if they meant to knock us off-line, didn’t know anything about how we operate. They hit the front of the building—where the offices are located—not the back.”
“Where the production actually occurs,” I said.
“Exactly.” She shrugged. “If they wanted to shut us down, they did a pretty crappy job of it. Thank goodness. Almost all of our employees live here, work here in the neighborhood. They take a lot of pride in what they do. We’re a very family-oriented company. And speaking of family,” she said, as a tall man with dark skin, glasses, and a goatee walked toward us. He was dressed in a perfectly fitting suit, which only added to the sense of business acumen.
“Alan,” she said, putting a hand on his arm. “This is Catcher Bell and Merit. They’re helping investigate the riots.”
“Good to meet you,” he said, shaking both of our hands. His handshake was strong, confident. “Thank you for your help.”
“Of course,” Catcher said. “We’re sorry about the trouble and property damage.”
“I was just telling them you’d get the security tapes,” Charla said.
Alan frowned. “I’m not sure what help they’ll be, as they aren’t outside the building. They wouldn’t show the rioters.”
“Even if they don’t,” Catcher said, “they might help us eliminate theories.”
Alan nodded. “I see. Of course. I should be able to get them onto DVDs. I assume that will work for you?”
“Perfectly,” Catcher said.
“Charla said you handle the science aspects of the business?” I asked.
“He actually just finished his PhD in December,” Charla said. “We’re very proud of him.”
Alan rolled his eyes affectionately. “It’s no big deal.”